Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages

ABSTRACT

A capsule, intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, includes: a bottom wall; a side wall; an annular flange, wherein the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, wherein the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, and wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness, and wherein the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a capsule intended for the preparation of abeverage in a device for making beverages. This invention also relatesto a method for making a capsule and a mould for making a capsule.

This disclosure addresses the sector of the production of beverages byinfusion; known in this sector is the use of capsules containinginfusion material such as coffee, for example. The capsules comprise acup, or body, and a lid and are designed to be placed in specificbeverage making machines where hot water or steam is fed into thecapsule in order to brew the beverage.

More specifically, this disclosure addresses the sector of theproduction by infusion of beverages such as American coffee; thecapsules used in this sector are larger than the capsules used inNespresso-like coffee machines; typically, the capsules are providedwith a filter element that divides the internal space into a firstportion, containing a substance (coffee, for example) intended for theproduction of the beverage, and a second portion. The beverage makingmachine feeds hot water into the first portion; the substance containedin the first portion is infused and produces the beverage, whichmigrates into the second portion through the filter element; lastly, themachine extracts the beverage from the second portion.

BACKGROUND ART

Capsules of this kind are described, for example, in the followingpatent documents: US2002/0020659, U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,87162,US2018160845A1, US2018118450A1, US2017042362A1. In particular, patentdocument US2017042362A1 describes a capsule in which the bottom wallincludes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall, anda central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, wherethe annular supporting portion projects from the central portion.

In this sector, there is a general need to make capsules lighter inorder to save on material, while maintaining good mechanical propertiesand effectively insulating the product inside the capsule from externalagents. Moreover, if the capsules are made by compression moulding, itis necessary to facilitate the process of filling the mould with thematerial used to form the capsule, to ensure that the capsules made areof good quality. Furthermore, the following patent documents describecapsules of the aforementioned typology: EP2962957A1, WO2004/087529A1,WO2017/055350A1 and US2017/042362A1. However, also these documentssuffer an inefficient relationship between weight and mechanicalstrength.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure has for an aim to provide a capsule for the preparationof a beverage in a device for making beverages, a method for making acapsule and a mould for making a capsule to overcome the above mentioneddisadvantages of the prior art.

This aim is fully achieved by the capsule, the method and the mould ascharacterized in the appended claims.

More specifically, this disclosure concerns a capsule for thepreparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages.

The capsule comprises a body (or cup). The body is made preferably ofthermoplastic material (such as, for example, polymeric, composite orbiocompatible materials).

The body comprises a bottom wall. The body comprises a side wall. Theside wall extends around a longitudinal axis, between a first annularedge and a second annular edge. The first annular edge is connected tothe bottom wall; thus, the side wall extends between the bottom wall andthe second annular edge. The side wall has an inside surface, facingtowards the longitudinal axis, and an outside surface, opposite to theinside surface. The side wall and the bottom wall delimit an internalspace within the capsule body.

The body also comprises an annular flange. The annular flange isconnected to the second annular edge of the side wall. The annularflange extends from the second annular edge of the side wall, away fromthe longitudinal axis. The outside surface of the side wall includes afirst portion, which is proximal to the flange, and a second portion,which is distal from the flange. It should be noted that the secondportion of the side wall is preferably frustoconical in shape. The firstportion of the side wall may be cylindrical or frustoconical in shape.In an embodiment, the first portion of the side wall is frustoconical inshape and has a different inclination to the longitudinal axis incomparison with the second portion; more specifically, the taperdirection of the first portion is opposite to that of the secondportion. Preferably, the first portion of the side wall projectsradially from the second portion of the side wall, away from thelongitudinal axis.

The bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion and a centralportion surrounded by the annular supporting portion. The annularsupporting portion is connected to the side wall. The annular supportingportion projects from the central portion, away from the second annularedge. The central portion is thus recessed relative to annularsupporting portion.

The annular supporting portion has a variable section to allow a greaterthickness in the most stressed points and to make the capsule morerigid. The central portion includes a first zone, having a firstthickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness. The secondthickness is smaller than the first thickness. Thus, the second zone isthinner than the first zone, allowing less material to be used andmaking the body of the capsule lighter. Preferably, the second zone isoriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the firstzone is also oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis;preferably, the central portion is oriented perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis. Preferably, the second zone is recessed relative tothe first zone, on an inside face (or inside wall) of the centralportion (facing towards the internal space).

In one example, the first zone surrounds the second zone and isdisposed, along a radial direction, outside the second zone. This allowsthe thinnest area to be kept in a less stressed area, reducing theweight without compromising the mechanical strength of the capsule.

The second zone is full; that is, the second zone has no holes. Thesecond zone is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of thecapsule.

The second zone is obtained through a groove on the back wall. Saidgroove faces the internal volume of the capsule. Said groove compriseschamfered walls, so as not to have edges which can act as aconcentration of stresses. In one example, the radial extension of thefirst zone with respect to the radial extension of the second zone is ina ratio between 0.8 and 1.5.

It should be noted that in an embodiment, the second zone has an annularshape and surrounds the first zone. In at least one embodiment, thefirst zone has the shape of a circle; thus, the longitudinal axis passesthrough the first zone (the centre of the circle).

In an embodiment, the central portion of the bottom wall includes athird zone; the third zone is annular in shape; the third zone surroundsthe second zone. Thus, the second zone is interposed between the firstzone and the second zone. The third zone has a third thickness; thethird thickness is preferably greater than the second thickness. Thesecond zone is also recessed relative to the third zone, on the insideface of the central portion. In an embodiment, the third thickness isequal to the first thickness.

In an embodiment, the bottom wall includes a connecting portion whichinterconnects the central portion with the annular supporting portion.More specifically, the bottom wall interconnects the third zone of thecentral portion with the annular supporting portion. The connectingportion is obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. In anembodiment, the connecting portion has a fourth thickness that isgreater than the second thickness; more specifically, the fourththickness is equal to the first and/or the third thickness.

It should be noted that the annular supporting portion has a supportingthickness that is greater than the first thickness. The supportingthickness is also greater than the third and/or the fourth thickness.

The first annular edge is greater than or equal to 40 mm in diameter:that is, greater than or equal to 20 mm in radius. More specifically,the first annular edge is greater than or equal to 45 mm in diameter(for example, 46 mm). The second annular edge is greater than or equalto 35 mm in diameter. Preferably, the second zone has a width, measuredin a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between 4 mm and8 mm; still more preferably, between 5 mm and 7 mm (for example, 6 mm).

Preferably, therefore, the ratio between the width of the second zone,measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and theradius of the first annular edge is between 0.2 and 0.5; still morepreferably, between 0.3 and 0.4. This dimensional interval allows thesecond zone to be large enough to make the capsule effectively lighterin weight but not too large to have a negative effect on its moisturebarrier and mechanical resistance properties.

In an embodiment, the first thickness (and/or the third thickness) isbetween 0.35 mm and 0.40 mm; the second thickness is between 0.15 mm and0.20 mm. Therefore, the ratio between the second thickness and the firstthickness is between 0.35 and 0.55, specifically between 0.40 and 0.50.

The annular supporting portion has a width, measured in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which is smaller than the widthof the second zone. The ratio between the width of the annularsupporting portion, measured in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis, and the radius of the first annular edge is between0.1 and 0.2.

The height of the capsule (that is, of the capsule body, or of the sidewall of the capsule body) is greater than or equal to 30 mm, along thelongitudinal axis; more specifically, the height of the capsule (thatis, of the capsule body, or of the side wall of the capsule body) isgreater than or equal to 35 mm, along the longitudinal axis; preferably,the height of the capsule (that is, of the capsule body, or of the sidewall of the capsule body) is greater than or equal to 40 mm (forexample, 45 mm), along the longitudinal axis. By height of the capsuleor of its side wall is meant a maximum distance between the bottom walland the second annular edge.

It should be noted that the capsule, at least in its final configurationin which it is ready to be placed in a beverage making machine, alsoincludes a lid. The lid is joined to the annular flange; morespecifically, the lid is joined to the front face of the annular flange.The lid, together with the body, delimits, or encloses, an internalspace within the capsule. The capsule preferably also comprises a filterelement, positioned in the internal space. The filter element may bemade of cellulosic material, such as paper, for example. The capsulealso comprises a substance for making the beverage. The substance formaking the beverage is enclosed in a space which is at least partlydelimited by the filter element. More specifically, the filter elementdivides the internal space into a containing space and a collectingspace and the substance for making the beverage is contained in thecontaining space. Preferably, the containing space is partly delimitedby the lid (and by the filter element) and the collecting space ispartly delimited by the bottom wall (and by the filter element). Thus,when the capsule is inserted into the beverage making machine, themachine feeds hot water into the containing space where the substance islocated; the beverage is made by infusion and passes through the filterelement from the containing space into the collecting space; the machinethen extracts the beverage from the collecting space. More specifically,the machine makes a first hole in the lid, through which it feeds thehot water into the containing space, and a second hole in the bottomwall, through which the beverage made is extracted. Preferably, thesecond (thinned) zone having the second thickness is located inproximity to a punch forming part of the coffee machine and configuredto make the second hole. That means the punch penetrates a thinner zonewhich is easier to pierce.

In an embodiment, the substance for making the beverage includes coffeegranules. In an embodiment, the substance for making the beverageincludes coffee powder. In another embodiment, the substance for makingthe beverage includes chamomile or tea.

This disclosure also provides a method for making a capsule intended forthe preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages. Themethod comprises a step of forming a body of the capsule. The capsuleand, more specifically, the capsule body is made according to one ormore aspects of this disclosure. In the step of forming, the bottomwall, the side wall and the annular flange of the capsule body areformed. The side wall extends around a longitudinal axis, between afirst annular edge, connected to the bottom wall, and a second annularedge; the side wall has an inside surface, facing towards thelongitudinal axis, and an outside surface, opposite to the insidesurface. The annular flange extends from the second annular edge of theside wall, away from the longitudinal axis.

The bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion which isconnected to the side wall, and a central portion which is surroundedby, and recessed relative to, the annular supporting portion. Thecentral portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and asecond zone, having a second thickness, according to one or more aspectsof this disclosure; more specifically, the second thickness is smallerthan the first thickness and the second zone is oriented perpendicularlyto the longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment, the step of forming is carried out by compressionmoulding. Thus, the capsule body is formed from a dose of thermoplasticmaterial.

In this embodiment, the step of forming is carried out by a mould madeaccording to one or more aspects of this disclosure; more specifically,it is carried out by a mould including a lower unit and an upper unitwhich are movable relative to each other. Thus the step of formingcomprises preparing the dose of thermoplastic material, positioning thedose on the lower unit of the mould, closing the mould by moving theupper unit and the lower unit towards each other until they delimit amoulding cavity in which the capsule body is formed from the dose. Thestep of forming may also comprise cooling the capsule body. The methodalso comprises a step of opening the mould by moving the upper unit andthe lower unit away from each other and a step of extracting the formedcapsule from the mould.

In an embodiment, the step of forming is carried out by injectionmoulding. The method may also comprise a step of preparing a filterelement and inserting the filter element into an internal space insidethe capsule body. The method may also comprise a step of feeding asubstance for making the beverage into the internal space; morespecifically, the substance is fed into a portion (also calledcontaining space), within the internal space and partly delimited by thefilter element. The method may also comprise a step of joining the lidto the front face of the annular flange so as to close the internalspace. After the step of joining the lid, the containing space in whichthe substance is located is enclosed between the lid and the filterelement. This disclosure also provides a mould for making a capsuleintended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for makingbeverages. The mould is movable between an open configuration and aclosed configuration in which it defines a moulding cavity. The mouldingcavity is shaped in such a way as to form the capsule according to oneor more aspects of this disclosure. More specifically, the mouldingcavity includes a bottom hollow, a side hollow and a flange hollow. Theside hollow extends around a longitudinal axis between a first annularend, which is connected to the bottom hollow, and a second annular end.The side hollow has an inside wall, facing towards the longitudinalaxis, and an outside surface, opposite to the inside wall. The flangehollow is connected to the second annular end and extends from thesecond annular end, away from the longitudinal axis. The outside wall ofthe side hollow includes a first portion, proximal to the flange hollow,and a second portion, distal from the flange hollow. Preferably, thesecond portion is frustoconical in shape. The first portion iscylindrical or frustoconical in shape.

Before the capsule is extracted from the mould, the longitudinal axis ofthe mould coincides with the longitudinal axis of the capsule which isformed in the mould.

Preferably, the second annular end (specifically, an outer edge thereof)has a diameter which is greater than or equal to 35 mm (or 40 mm, or 45mm or 50 mm). The moulding cavity (that is, the side hollow) has alength along the longitudinal axis that is greater than or equal to 35mm (or 30 mm, or 40 mm, or 45 mm).

The bottom wall includes an annular portion, connected to the sidehollow, and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion; theannular portion projects from the central portion, away from the secondannular end. The central portion includes a first zone, having a firstthickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, the secondthickness being smaller than the first thickness and the second zonebeing oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, thefirst zone is also oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axisand/or the central portion is also oriented perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis. The second zone, with respect to the longitudinalaxis, has a radial extension and an axial extension, the radialextension being greater than the axial extension. Preferably, the firstzone surrounds the second zone. Thus, the second zone acts as a tank forthe material during the step of forming by moulding. Thus, the secondzone, which is less thick, has several advantages: it makes the capsulebody lighter and allows saving on material; it also allows the mould tobe filled more effectively in the case where the capsule is made bymoulding (in particular, compression moulding); it also provides an easyperforation zone which can be pierced more easily by the punch of thebeverage making machine.

The central portion may also include a third zone, which surrounds thesecond zone and has a third thickness, greater than the second thicknessof the second zone. The second zone is recessed relative to the firstand/or the second zone, on an inside face of the bottom wall, facingtowards the second annular end.

The bottom hollow also includes a connecting portion, which joins thecentral portion to the annular portion connected to the side hollow. Theconnecting portion is obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinalaxis. Preferably, the mould comprises an upper unit and a lower unit,movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. Preferably,the longitudinal axis of the mould is parallel to the weight force. Inthe open configuration of the mould, the upper unit and the lower unitare spaced apart and in the closed configuration of the mould, the upperunit and the lower unit are close together and delimit the mouldingcavity. In the closed configuration, the lower unit is positioned underthe upper unit and is at least partly inserted in a hollow of the upperunit; this configuration is particularly advantageous in the case wherethe body of the capsule is made of multilayer material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features will become more apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way ofnon-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross section of a capsule body madeaccording to one or more aspects of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the capsule body of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows the capsule body of FIG. 1 in a perspective view;

FIG. 4 shows the capsule body of FIG. 1 in a top view;

FIG. 5 shows the capsule of this disclosure, including the bodyillustrated in FIG. 1 , the filter, the substance and the lid;

FIG. 5A shows the filter of the capsule of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 6 shows a mould for making the capsule body of FIG. 1 in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 7 shows the mould of FIG. 6 in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes acapsule. The capsule 1 comprises a body 100. The body 100 includes abottom wall 101, a side wall 102 and an annular flange 103. The sidewall 102 extends around a longitudinal axis A, between a first annularedge 102A and a second annular edge 102B. The first and the secondannular edge 102A and 102B surround the longitudinal axis A. The firstannular edge 102A is connected to the bottom wall 101. The secondannular edge 1028 is connected to the annular flange 103.

The side wall 102 has an inside surface, facing towards the longitudinalaxis A, and an outside surface, opposite to the inside surface. The sidewall 102, or its outside surface, comprises a first portion 1021 and asecond portion 1022. The first portion 1021 is proximal to the annularflange 103 and the second portion 1022 is distal from the annular flange103; more specifically, the first portion 1021 is connected to theannular flange 103 and the second portion 1021 is connected to thebottom wall 101. The first portion 1021 thus extends around thelongitudinal axis A between the first annular edge 102A of the side walland a connecting edge, joining the first portion 1021 and the secondportion 1022.

The second portion 1022 extends around the longitudinal axis A betweenthe connecting edge, joining the first portion 1021 and the secondportion, and the second annular edge 102B. The inside surface of thefirst portion 1021 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The secondportion 1022 is frustoconical in shape; thus, the connecting edge,joining the first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022, has a radiusthat is larger than the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A.

The second annular edge 1028 has a radius R2 that is larger than theradius R1 of the first annular edge 102A. More specifically, the radiusR2 of the second annular edge 1028 is preferably greater than 20 mm (forexample, 22 or 23 mm); the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A ispreferably greater than 15 mm (for example, 17 or 18 mm). The radius R2of the second annular edge 1028 is substantially the same as the radiusof the connecting edge, joining the first portion 1021 and the secondportion 1022 (at least on an inside face). The annular flange 103 has anouter edge whose radius is preferably greater than or equal to 25 mm.

The height H of the side wall 102—that is, of the capsule body 100—isgreater than or equal to 35 mm, along the longitudinal axis A. Theheight H defines the maximum distance between the bottom wall 101 andthe second annular edge 102B.

The capsule 1 comprises a lid 14. The lid 14 is joined to the front faceof the annular flange 103. The lid 14 and the body 100 delimit aninternal space V inside the capsule 1; when the lid 14 is joined to theannular flange 103, the internal space V is a closed space.

The bottom wall 101 includes an annular supporting portion 1011 which isconnected to the side wall 102. The bottom wall 101 includes a centralportion 1012 which is surrounded by the annular supporting portion 1011.The central portion 1012 is recessed relative to the annular supportingportion 1011: that is to say, its distance from the lid 14 along thelongitudinal axis A is smaller than the distance from the lid of theannular supporting portion 1011. The annular supporting portion 1011 islocated at a perimeter of the bottom wall. The annular supportingportion 1011 projects longitudinally away from the second annular edge1028, with respect to the central portion 1012, so that the capsule canbe laid on a supporting surface (such as a table or a desk) with anouter surface of the annular supporting portion 1011 defining the solesurface in contact with the supporting surface. The bottom wall 101includes a connecting portion 1013 which joins the annular supportingportion 1011 to the central portion 1012. Thus, the connecting portion1013 is obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A at anangle between 10° and 80°.

The central portion 1012 includes a first zone 1012A, traversed by thelongitudinal axis A, a second zone 1012B, surrounding the first zone1012A, and a third zone 1012C, surrounding the second zone 1012B. Thethird zone 1012C is connected to the connecting portion 1013. Thecentral portion 1012 is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinalaxis A; thus, the first zone 1012A, the second zone 1012B and/or thethird zone 1012C are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axisA. The second zone 1012B is recessed relative to the first zone 1012Aand relative to the third zone 1012C, on an inside face of the bottomwall 101, facing towards the internal space V. Instead, on an outsideface of the bottom wall 101, opposite to the inside face, the centralportion 1012 is uniform. More specifically, the first zone 1012A has afirst thickness S1, the second zone 1012B has a second thickness S2 andthe third zone 1012C has a third thickness S3. The second thickness S2is smaller than the first thickness S1 and third thickness S3. The firstthickness S1 may be the same as the third thickness S3. The ratiobetween the second thickness S2 and the first thickness S1 (or the thirdthickness S3) is between 0.35 and 0.55.

The first zone 1012A has the shape of a circle whose radius is greaterthan 5 mm (specifically, greater than 7 mm). The second zone 1012B hasthe shape of a ring whose width L2 is greater than 4 mm (specifically,greater than 6 mm). By width L2 of the second zone 1012B is meant thedifference between the (maximum) radius of the second zone 1012B and the(maximum) radius of the first zone 1012A; thus, the width L2 is definedin a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. Preferably,therefore, the ratio between the width L2 of the second zone 1021B andthe radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A is between 0.2 and 0.5.

It should be noted that there are preferably a connecting portion,joining the second zone 1012B to the first zone 1012A, and/or a secondconnecting portion, joining the second zone 1012B to the third zone1012C, which are inclined obliquely (at an angle between 10° and 80°)relative to the longitudinal axis A.

The connecting portion 1013 has a fourth thickness S4. The fourththickness S4 is also greater than the second thickness S2; for example,the fourth thickness S4 may be the same as the first thickness S1 and/orthe third thickness S3.

The annular supporting portion 1011 has a fifth thickness S5. The fifththickness S5 is preferably greater than the first thickness S1, thesecond thickness S2, the third thickness S3 and the fourth thickness S4.The fifth thickness S5 is also greater than the thickness of the sidewall 102 (more specifically, of the first portion 1021 of the side wall102). The annular supporting portion 1011 has a width L3, measured in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The width L3 ispreferably smaller than the width L2.

The capsule 1 also comprises a filter element 11. The filter element 11is positioned in the internal space V inside the capsule 1. Preferably,the filter element 11 is cup shaped and in turn includes a side wall anda bottom wall. The side wall of the filter element 11 also extendsaround the longitudinal axis A; the side wall of the filter element 11is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the side wall 102 (or to thesecond portion 1022 of the side wall 102). The bottom wall of the filterelement 11 is connected to the side wall of the filter element 11.Preferably, the bottom wall of the filter element 11 is parallel to thebottom wall 101 of the capsule body 100. Preferably, an upper annularend of the filter element 11 is joined (for example, glued) to thecapsule body 100 in a zone proximal to the second annular edge 1028 ofthe side wall 102. The bottom wall of the filter element 11 is spacedfrom the bottom wall 101 of the capsule body 100. Thus, the filterelement 11 defines, within the internal space of the capsule 1, acontaining space 12 which is included between the lid 14 and the bottomwall of the filter element 11, and a collecting space 13 which isincluded between the bottom wall of the filter element 11 and the bottomwall 101 of the capsule. The substance for making the beverage (coffeegranules, for example) is located in the containing space 12. Thecollecting space 13 is full of air.

When the capsule 1 is inserted into the beverage making machine, aninjector pierces the lid 14 and feeds hot water into the containingspace 12. The beverage is produced by infusion and percolates into thecollecting space 13 through the filter element 11. The machine thenpierces the bottom wall 101 with a punch to dispense the beverage made.Preferably, the punch pierces the second zone 1012B of the centralportion 1012 of the bottom wall 101.

This disclosure also relates to a mould 2. The mould 2 is shaped in sucha way as to form the body 100 of the capsule 1. The mould 2 comprises anupper unit 21 and a lower unit 22, movable relative to each other alonga longitudinal axis A (which coincides with the longitudinal axis A ofthe body 100 formed). The upper unit 21 and the lower unit 22 aremovable relative to each other between a spaced-apart position, whichdefines an open configuration of the mould 2, and a close-togetherposition, which defines a closed configuration of the mould 2. In theopen configuration, the mould 2 is configured to receive a dose 3 ofthermoplastic material. Preferably, the dose 3 is placed on the lowerunit 22. In the closed configuration, the upper unit 21 and the lowerunit 22 delimit a moulding cavity 200 in which the body 100 of thecapsule 1 is formed by compression moulding, starting from the dose 3.

The moulding cavity 200 includes a bottom hollow 201, configured to formthe bottom wall 101 of the body 100 of the capsule 1.

The moulding cavity 200 also includes a side hollow 202, connected to(that is, in communication with) the bottom hollow 201. The side hollow202 is configured to form the side wall 102 of the body 100 of thecapsule 1. More specifically, the side hollow 202 extends around thelongitudinal axis A, between a first annular end 202A and a secondannular end 202B. The first annular end 202A is connected to the bottomhollow. The moulding cavity 200 also includes a flange hollow 203, whichextends from the second annular end 202B away from the longitudinalaxis. Thus, the flange hollow 203 is connected to (that is, incommunication with) the side hollow 202, at the second annular end 202B.The side hollow 203 is configured to form the annular flange 103 of thebody 100 of the capsule 1.

The bottom hollow 201 includes an annular portion, connected to the sidehollow, and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion; theannular portion projects from the central portion, away from the secondannular end. Thus, the annular portion of the bottom hollow 201 isconfigured to form the annular supporting portion 1011 of the body 100of the capsule 1. The central portion of the bottom hollow 201 isconfigured to form the central portion 1012 of the body 100 of thecapsule 1. The central portion includes a first zone, having a firstthickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness. The secondthickness is smaller than the first thickness. The second zone (and,preferably, the first zone) is oriented perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis and surrounds the first zone. The first zone of thebottom hollow 201 is configured to form the first zone 1021A of thecentral portion 1021 of the bottom wall 101 of the body 100 of thecapsule 1; thus, the first zone of the bottom hollow 201 has thethickness S1. The second zone of the bottom hollow 201 is configured toform the second zone 1021B of the central portion 1021 of the bottomwall 101 of the body 100 of the capsule 1; thus, the second zone of thebottom hollow 201 has the thickness S2. The central portion includes athird zone, surrounding the second zone and joined to the annularportion by a connecting portion. The third zone of the bottom hollow 201is configured to form the third zone 1012C of the central portion 1021of the bottom wall 101 of the body 100 of the capsule 1; thus, the thirdzone of the bottom hollow 201 has the thickness S3.

1. A capsule, intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, the capsule comprising a body which includes a bottom wall; a side wall extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular edge, connected to the bottom wall, and a second annular edge, wherein the side wall and the bottom wall delimit an internal space within the body of the capsule; and an annular flange, extending from the second annular edge of the side wall away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, wherein the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular edge, and wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness and the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
 2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second zone has an annular shape and surrounds the first zone.
 3. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein the central portion of the bottom wall includes a third zone which surrounds the second zone and has a third thickness, larger than the second thickness, wherein the second zone is recessed relative to the first zone and relative to the third zone on the inside face of the central portion.
 4. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall includes a connecting portion which interconnects the central portion to the annular supporting portion, the connecting portion being obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
 5. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the central portion has an inside face, facing towards the internal space, and an outside face, opposite to the inside face, wherein the second zone is recessed relative to the first zone on the inside face of the central portion.
 6. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the annular supporting portion has a supporting thickness that is greater than the first thickness.
 7. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the width of the second zone, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the radius of the first annular edge is between 0.2 and 0.5.
 8. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the second thickness and the first thickness is between 0.35 and 0.55.
 9. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second annular edge has a radius that is greater than or equal to 20 mm and wherein the capsule has a height that is greater than or equal to 35 mm along the longitudinal axis.
 10. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the side wall has a first portion, which is proximal to the flange, and a second portion, which is distal from the flange and connected to the first portion and to the bottom wall, wherein the second portion is frustoconical in shape.
 11. The capsule according to claim 10, wherein the first portion has an inside wall, which faces towards the internal space and is cylindrical in shape, and an outside wall, which is opposite to the inside wall, is frustoconical in shape and whose direction of taper is opposite to that of the second portion.
 12. The capsule according to claim 1, further comprising: a lid, joined to the annular flange to delimit, with the body, an internal space inside the capsule; a filter element, positioned in the internal space, wherein the filter element divides the internal space into a containing space and a collecting space, wherein the containing space is partly delimited by the lid and the collecting space is partly delimited by the bottom wall; and a substance contained in the containing space and used for making the beverage.
 13. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the annular supporting portion is located at a perimeter of the bottom wall and projects longitudinally away from the second annular edge, with respect to the central portion, so that the capsule can be laid on a supporting surface with an outer surface of the annular supporting portion being the sole surface in contact with the supporting surface.
 14. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second zone, with respect to the longitudinal axis, has a radial extension and an axial extension, the radial extension being greater than the axial extension.
 15. A method for making a capsule, intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, wherein the method comprises a step of forming a body of the capsule, in which the following are made: a bottom wall; a side wall extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular edge, connected to the bottom wall, and a second annular edge, wherein the side wall and the bottom wall delimit an internal space within the body of the capsule; and an annular flange, extending from the second annular edge of the side wall, away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, wherein the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular edge, and wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness and wherein the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of forming is carried out by compression moulding starting from a dose of thermoplastic material.
 17. A mould for making a capsule intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, the mould being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which the mould defines a moulding cavity that includes: a bottom hollow; a side hollow, extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular end, connected to the bottom hollow, and a second annular end; and a flange hollow connected to the second annular end and extending from the second annular end, away from the longitudinal axis; wherein the bottom hollow includes an annular portion, connected to the side hollow, and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion, wherein the annular portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular end, and wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness and wherein the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
 18. The mould according to claim 17, comprising an upper unit and a lower unit, which are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis, wherein, in the open configuration of the mould, the upper unit and the lower unit are spaced apart and in the closed configuration of the mould, the upper unit and the lower unit are close together and delimit the moulding cavity, wherein the lower unit, in the closed configuration, is positioned under the upper unit and is at least partly inserted in a hollow of the upper unit.
 19. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein first annular edge is greater than or equal to 40 mm in diameter.
 20. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second zone has a width, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between 4 mm and 8 mm. 